Wells Vertige - New British sportscar
Discussion
CABC said:
have you guys looked into insuring one of these?
I'm seriously interested as it represents so many things I want in a sports car. with TVR, Lotus et al there are great value specialist insurers, but then spare parts and knowledge are far more prevalent. this really is niche.
Low mileage insurance on my Zenos is very reasonable, and that's from a manufacturer no one has heard of, and which no longer exists. If Wells are still around to replace parts, then it shouldn't be too difficult to insure.I'm seriously interested as it represents so many things I want in a sports car. with TVR, Lotus et al there are great value specialist insurers, but then spare parts and knowledge are far more prevalent. this really is niche.
carlo996 said:
Am I alone in thinking from the track pictures it looks a bit like a 70’/80’s kit car 
Actually , I think it looks far more like the kid brother of the GMA T50/T33. What I love about all of them is that they lack the phallic bulges and excrescences which seem to adorn every sporty Merc and BMW these days . If cars could speak those horrors would be loudly demanding to know who had spilled their effing pint .I have known Robin for 30+ years and know a bit about the background of the design. He took styling cues from all of his favourite cars over the years and combined them. He went as far as buying actual cars as a reference point. I know there's Ginetta and TVR Griffith in there. He was also keen on old Lancias so that's probably in the mix somewhere.
Yaaan said:
They’re genuinely a pleasure to drive. Nothing isolating you from the experience, but enough refinement that it’s not a chore on the more ordinary drives.
You’ve driven one? Lucky you!I’ve a 996 GT3 that is semi converted into a Cup car. It’s ace!
But it could also be seen as being a total piece of s
t depending on how you wished to use it. I reckon a Wells could be the perfect counter to it-an almost perfect two car garage.Can you tell us more about the drive?
tomsugden said:
I have known Robin for 30+ years and know a bit about the background of the design. He took styling cues from all of his favourite cars over the years and combined them. He went as far as buying actual cars as a reference point. I know there's Ginetta and TVR Griffith in there. He was also keen on old Lancias so that's probably in the mix somewhere.
Deffo Griff from the front PRO5T said:
You’ve driven one? Lucky you!
I’ve a 996 GT3 that is semi converted into a Cup car. It’s ace!
But it could also be seen as being a total piece of st depending on how you wished to use it. I reckon a Wells could be the perfect counter to it-an almost perfect two car garage.
Can you tell us more about the drive?
This is mine in build at the moment, approaching completion…I’ve a 996 GT3 that is semi converted into a Cup car. It’s ace!
But it could also be seen as being a total piece of s
t depending on how you wished to use it. I reckon a Wells could be the perfect counter to it-an almost perfect two car garage.Can you tell us more about the drive?
I’ve only driven it on the road and not really had a chance to push it but it has a lot of the hallmarks of the Elise. Obviously light so it’s pretty nimble and with no assistance you can feel exactly what is doing. They’ve changed the steering ratio a little since I last drove one but it was pleasingly direct, and you could position it nicely where you wanted. The unassisted brakes were a bit of a change for me but great feel again once you’re used to them. The seats were great and I found the driving position suited me nicely. The view out of the front is good with the front wings nicely visible for positioning the car. It’s quite a supple ride without being too soft or wallowy (not sure it’s a word but it suits) and I felt pretty confident carrying a bit of speed through the corners at road legal speeds…
It sounds good too, and the doors are great 😃
Yaaan said:
The unassisted brakes were a bit of a change for me but great feel again once you’re used to them.
It’s possible for a lot volume car makers to get unassisted brakes very wrong. Zenos offered 2 brake options, neither were any good. It took a lot of after market development to get a setup that really suits the car. Well done to Wells for getting it right first time.
Hopefully you’ll post updates when your car arrives. I’m sure it will be a brilliant ownership experience.
Yaaan said:
This is mine in build at the moment, approaching completion…
I’ve only driven it on the road and not really had a chance to push it but it has a lot of the hallmarks of the Elise. Obviously light so it’s pretty nimble and with no assistance you can feel exactly what is doing. They’ve changed the steering ratio a little since I last drove one but it was pleasingly direct, and you could position it nicely where you wanted. The unassisted brakes were a bit of a change for me but great feel again once you’re used to them. The seats were great and I found the driving position suited me nicely. The view out of the front is good with the front wings nicely visible for positioning the car. It’s quite a supple ride without being too soft or wallowy (not sure it’s a word but it suits) and I felt pretty confident carrying a bit of speed through the corners at road legal speeds…
It sounds good too, and the doors are great ??
lovely, by the looks at the front suspension, you have to watch your ET worth when changing wheels :-) but it looks good, I'm a bit jalous that we in the Netherlands can not get them that 'cheap' because of our thieves in government and their on C02 per gram bases extra Tax on top of our 21% btwI’ve only driven it on the road and not really had a chance to push it but it has a lot of the hallmarks of the Elise. Obviously light so it’s pretty nimble and with no assistance you can feel exactly what is doing. They’ve changed the steering ratio a little since I last drove one but it was pleasingly direct, and you could position it nicely where you wanted. The unassisted brakes were a bit of a change for me but great feel again once you’re used to them. The seats were great and I found the driving position suited me nicely. The view out of the front is good with the front wings nicely visible for positioning the car. It’s quite a supple ride without being too soft or wallowy (not sure it’s a word but it suits) and I felt pretty confident carrying a bit of speed through the corners at road legal speeds…
It sounds good too, and the doors are great ??
SpudLink said:
It’s possible for a lot volume car makers to get unassisted brakes very wrong. Zenos offered 2 brake options, neither were any good. It took a lot of after market development to get a setup that really suits the car.
Well done to Wells for getting it right first time.
Hopefully you’ll post updates when your car arrives. I’m sure it will be a brilliant ownership experience.
I think they’ve had a lot of input from people in the industry who know what they’re doing, which seems to have paid off. I’ll report back!Well done to Wells for getting it right first time.
Hopefully you’ll post updates when your car arrives. I’m sure it will be a brilliant ownership experience.
If all goes to plan we’re looking at late summer for delivery so will provide some updates along the way. Hopefully the ownership experience will be as positive as the buying. Robin has welcomed my endless questions, indecision on colours and multiple visits during the process. I’ve even taken it for a spin around the car park before the bodywork and interior go on, as well as going up and wielding a spanner or two during the build. I wouldn’t have got that if I’d bought a Porsche
I loved it to drive... reminded me of a Ginetta G40, but I found the pedal spacing a bit of a challenge and Mrs T worried about what getting into the car would do to the seat leather as you slide down them to get in (at least I did!). A small matter for sure, but I do like my cars to remain immaculate!
In the end I bought a base model Alpine - more of a compromise for sure but lovely as well. However, I do still hanker after the Wells 'cos its even rarer and British damn it!
In the end I bought a base model Alpine - more of a compromise for sure but lovely as well. However, I do still hanker after the Wells 'cos its even rarer and British damn it!
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